Posted by Tony from 69-pool1.ras11.calan-e.alerondial.net (206.149.36.69) on Thursday, March 27, 2003 at 1:09AM :
We will resist US forces: Iraq
By: AFP
March 23, 2003
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Damascus: Iraqi Foreign Minister Naji Sabri said today that he was "optimistic" about his country's ability to resist invading US and British forces and said he counted on "resistance" across the Arab world.
"Our position is solid. It is the solid position of the Arab people who will decide to do battle" with the United States, Sabri told reporters following a meeting with his Syrian counterpart Faruq al-Shara.
"The source of our optimism is the resistance of our people who have unlimited abilities. We count on the abilities of the Arab people who will resist in all Arab countries."
Sabri arrived in the Syrian capital today, becoming the first Iraqi government official to leave the country since the start of the war three days earlier.
He dismissed as "nonsense" reports that senior Iraqi officials had been killed or wounded.
American television network ABC had quoted US intelligence sources as saying that deputy Iraqi leader Ezzat Ibrahim, Vice President Taha Yassin Ramadan and General Ali Hassan al-Majid were killed in coalition air strikes.
"It is ridiculous nonsense put out by the American-Zionist propaganda machine and relayed by Arabic-speaking media whose information is written in Tel-Aviv," Sabri said.
The Iraqi minister paid homage to Syria, which has been fiercely opposed to the war and is the only Arab country on the UN Security Council.
"The position adopted by the leadership and people of Syria is courageous. They are expressing the conscience of the Arab nation," he said.
-- Tony
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